2020–21 CAF Champions League
2020–21 Mohamed Sherif (6 goals) | |
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← 2019–20 2021–22 → |
The 2020–21 CAF Champions League (officially the 2020–21 Total CAF Champions League for sponsorship reasons)[1] was the 57th edition of Africa's premier club football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and the 25th edition under the current CAF Champions League
As the winners of the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, Al Ahly represented Africa in both the
Association team allocation
All 56 CAF member associations may enter the CAF Champions League, with the 12 highest ranked associations according to their CAF 5-year ranking eligible to enter two teams in the competition.[2] As a result, theoretically a maximum of 68 teams could enter the tournament – although this level has never been reached.
For the 2020–21 CAF Champions League, the CAF uses the 2016–2020 CAF 5-year ranking, which calculates points for each entrant association based on their clubs’ performance over those 5 years in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. The criteria for points are the following:[3][4][5]
CAF Champions League | CAF Confederation Cup | |
---|---|---|
Winners | 6 points | 5 points |
Runners-up | 5 points | 4 points |
Losing semi-finalists | 4 points | 3 points |
Losing quarter-finalists (from 2017) | 3 points | 2 points |
3rd place in groups | 2 points | 1 point |
4th place in groups | 1 point | 0.5 point |
The points are multiplied by a coefficient according to the year as follows:
- 2019–20: × 5
- 2018–19: × 4
- 2018: × 3
- 2017: × 2
- 2016: × 1
Teams
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, associations may abandon their domestic competitions and select the representatives in CAF club competitions.[6] Associations may register their representatives during the engagement window between 1 September and 20 October 2020. All engaged teams must respect the Club Licensing procedure and cooperate with their respective Associations, as non-licensed clubs would be refused participation.[7]
The following 54 teams from 42 associations entered the competition.
- Teams in bold received a bye to the first round.
- The other teams entered the preliminary round.
Associations are shown according to their 2016–2020 CAF 5-year ranking – those with a ranking score have their rank and score (in parentheses) indicated.
- Associations which did not enter a team
- Notes
- ^ Algeria (ALG): The 2019–20 Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 was abandoned by the Algerian Football Federation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria. CR Belouizdad, who were at first place at the time of abandonment (table considered final) and declared champions, and MC Alger, who were at second place (by points per game), will represent Algeria in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.[8]
- ^ Angola (ANG): The 2019–20 Girabola was abandoned (season cancelled, title not awarded) by the Angolan Football Federation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Angola. Petro de Luanda and 1º de Agosto, who were at first and second place at the time of abandonment, will represent Angola in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.[9]
- Buffles du Borgou, who were the 2018–19 Benin Premier League champions, will represent Benin in the 2020–21 CAF Champions League.[10]